Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

As photographers, all of us can probably name more than a few other photographers who have inspired or influenced us in some way. Generally, we don't get an opportunity to actually meet those artists who have been important to our personal development. However, occasionally, we have the good fortune to cross paths with one of our favorite artists. That just happened to me! I am at the La Jolla Festival of the Arts and Laurent Martres, renowned photographer and author of the important three volume set of "Photographing the Southwest", walked into my booth and said hello. As one who loves photographing Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, Laurent's work and books have been very important to me. It was both and honor and a pleasure to meet him (he is a great guy!).

I am wondering how many of my fellow Hoggers have had the opportunity to meet one or more of the photographers who influenced you. Who was it? How had they influenced you, and what was it like to actually meet and talk with them?

Me and Laurent Martres

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

I retired from the Air Force in 1988 & worked at Russell's Camera West in Monterey, CA. Had the opportunity to meet several well known photographers including Cole Weston. He was in the store every couple of weeks & I had the opportunity to talk to him several times. Never "I'm too busy to talk". We could always ask him anything. Also had some National Geographic folks come through doing work at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Some of the most elitist snobs on the planet.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Hi Jim

That's so cool, someone you so admire; a chance of a lifetime at your own expo.

rebride

Eugene Smith.
I got to hear him lecture at the Academy of Art on Chestnut Street in San Francisco shortly before he died. The small auditorium was filled to the rafters and I sat on the floor with my seven year old son falling asleep on my lap.
He talked fondly of his time in the loft in the village. All the hours in the darkroom with the music, the jazz and sounds of the scene all around him. I really related to that because at the time I had a darkroom above a crazy, funky recording studio, which I lived in, across the bay in beautiful Oakland.
He said he didn't like the photograph 'The Walk to Paradise Garden.' That he just took the shot to finish off a roll of film in his camera.
A wonderful intimate evening with one of my heroes.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

i met Ansel Adams in a Half Moon Bay (vicinity) parking lot 50+ years ago. I had no idea who or what he was. We chatted; I lost all track of time just listening to him. What impressed me was how he was able to simplify (what were to me) complex concepts (DoF, f-stop calculation, etc.) without making it sound like a college lecture. A gentle man, but with a pent-up energy that was palpable. And the most amazing thing......his incredible patience with a smart-assed know-it-all (me at 21 or 22)!

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Did you ever wonder if it was this day Mogul?
http://www.hcc.commnet.edu/artmuseum/anseladams/details/surfseq.html

Oops - 25 years out!! LOL

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

All I remember about the location was a steep curvy road with the entrance just around the corner on a side road. The park was sandy with lots of what I found out later was ice-plant, but the waters edge was a thick dark gravel. I'd say the water was 100-150 feet below the entrance. The year was 1963 or 64.

dglphoto Loc: Lynnwood, WA

Unfortunately, I have never met any of the photographers who have inspired me. Most of them are now dead but a few are still alive.
For what its worth I would love to have met - Ansel Adams, Minor White and Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Of those still living, I don't recall their names just now but I have seen samples of their work and find it inspiring.